The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-30
THE VETERANS IN COUNCIL
The Grand Encampment Considers the
Reports of Officers and Committees.
Columbus Selected as the Place for the Next
Encampment-The Woman's Relief Corps
Compromises the Indiana Schism.
THE ENCAMPMENT.
Ell earty Endorsement of the Administration of
General Eairchild.


H earty Endorsement of the Administration of
General Fairchild.
ST LOUIS, Sept. 29.-The encampment met
at a.. The committee credentials re-
ported. A little breeze was created over the
delegates from Michigan. but the report was
finally adopted, which was the same as the
printed roll of the encampment The committee
pensions submitted their report.
The report of the committee relates their
efforts to procure liberal legislation from Con-
gress and the fate of the dependent pension BILL
The committee at Washington during the
debates in Congress over the bill It far
from what they wanted, but it at least would
have removed IL, 900 veterans from public pau
per-houses They call attention to the Mexican
pension bill. far more liberal than the one for
pensioning the soldiers against the rebellion.
This bill met the approval or the President and
they were fairly stunned when from the same
hand came a veto of the measure of like princi
pie, but infnitess;mal in degree, for the
veterans of the against treason. They ap-
peaed to the Grand Army of the Republic. and
the response came from 300, 900 members in no
uncertain tones The committee therefore pre-
pared new pension BILL This bill makes pro-
vision for pensions to all veterans who are or
may hereafter become unable to earn their own
for widows in their own right; for an increase of
the present pittance to minor children, and for
fathers or mothers from any date of dependence.
Such law would at once remove fully II, 900
veterans from the public aims houses, where
they now rest, making them pensioners instead
of paupers; provide pensions for fully as many
more now dependent upon private charity, and
put into the general pension laws for
the first time, the recognition of the
principle that pensions may be granted to sur
vivors of the late without absolute proof of
disability arising from the service, proof almost
impossible to procure after the lapse of more
than twenty years. The bill is similar in gener-
al principle to that vetoed but the objectiona-
ble pauper clause is omitted. making this dis
ability and not dependent bill. The result of
submitting this bill to the comrades of the
Grand Army Of the Republic shows that what
ever legislation some of the comrades DESIRE
they practically unanimous for everything
contained in this bill Whatever else may be
desirable the committee knows from the ex-
perience of five years that any additional legis-
lation is only to be secured inch by inch, after
most persistent efforts.
Your committee. therefore, recommend the
continuance of earnest effort in favor of the fol-
lowing: The bill prepared by this committee,
granting pensions to all veterans now disabled
in need, to mothers and fathers, from date of
dependence; continuance OF pensions TO widows
in their own right. and an increase for minor
children. All the recommendations for increase
and equalization of pensions for special disabili-
ties made in his recent report by Pension Com
TO all widows of honorably discharged soldiers
and sailors of the late war. Increased pensions
for the severer disabilities. substantially
presented in the bill prepared by
the United States Manned Veterans League.
Pensions for the survivors of rebel prisons, sub
stantally presented in the bill of the National
Aoc1 1f prico Nc sd
pensions for loss of hearing eyesight A re-
enactment OF the arrears law. an equitable
xthe widow Of the Representative volunteer soldier
of the Union army-John A. Logan-as is paid
to the widows of those ry pcal regulars Thomas,
The Rock of Chickamauga,' and Hancock,
always the superb"
A motion was made to postpone consideration
of the report until the report Of the committee
resolutions of the general pension bill should
be received, but it was finally voted down, and
after a great deal of parliamentary wrangling \
the report of the committee was adopted with
out debate
The committee the annual address of the
commander-in-chief Endorses the address, and
congratulates Commander-in- Chief Farchd
and the Grand Army of the Republic upon his
administration of the past year. stating that all
of the official acts and every sentiment con-
tanned in the address meets the approval of
the committee, and they believe. with the ap-
proval of the comrades ITO the discharge of the
delicate and assiduous duties of the high Office.
so deservedly bestowed by the twentieth nation
al encampment Comrade Fairchid brought
rare tact and talent He has fear
lessly and faithfully DISCHARGED every
interests of the Grand Army of the Republic.
They recommend the presentation of proper
testimonial to him. They desire to specially ex-
press their approval of general orders Nos II
and 10, believing do that it is entirely
improper and contrary to the rules of the order
for posts to express themselves by official &C
ton the request of persons outside Of the
Grand Army of the Republic upon any subject
or question unless officially authorized
quested to do through the regular official
channels of the organization. They recommend
the appointment of Past Commander-in-chi
Robert B. Beath historian of the order
and indorse the recommendation of perman-
emit national headquarters, and approve the
suggestion that the general government include
in the next decennia census an enumeration of
the Union soldiers and sailors of the late war
who may be living in 1890" The report was
unanimously adopted, with three roosing cheers
for Falrchild.
The Department of Pennsylvania presented
to every delegate and other persons entitled to
seats in the convention a memorial bronze
medallion of Lucius Fairchild, present
The committee on the report of the quarter
master-eeneral highly complimented that officer
for his faithful service. aud recommended that
the funds which were collected for the sufferers
from yellow fever in Pensacola, two years ago.
amounting to $500. be covered into the
treasury.
general reported, recomme lending that the forms
prepared by that officer for adoption be sub
mitted to the incoming surgeon-general and
council of administration.
Comrade Solomon of California presented
communication offering grant of land in San
Diego county, California, for the purpose of
establishing a soldiers home, which was re-
ferred to a committee of six to investigate and
report.
A communication presented from the
Society of the Army of the Tennessee, in regard
General Lcs an, which referred to the
committee already appointed at the request of
the monument commissioners of Illinois, the
object of the communication being the erection
of a statue in Washington to General Logan.
The report of the council of administration,
setting forth the doings of that body during the
past year received and approved.
A report presented by a committee APP
pointed at the last encampment to look into the
question of the preservation OF the historical
monuments in the Miami Valley, Ohio propos-
ing that the encampment recommend the passage